That makes it faster than any Kia currently on sale in Europe, and faster than a Honda Civic Type R.

A previous teaser video showed the car taking on ‘The Green Hell’ of the Nurburgring Nordschleife, hitting 150mph on the Dottinger-Hohe straight.

Technical details are being kept quiet for now, but it’s based on the Kia GT concept of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. That packed a 390hp 3.3-litre turbo V6, along with rear-wheel-drive and suicide doors.

Kia poached BMW’s M Division dynamics chief Albert Biermann in 2014. The firm has been introducing fast halo models across its range, including the 250hp Optima GT – but says it has no plans to introduce a performance sub-brand, like Hyundai’s ‘N’ brand.

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